Independent retailer Kishor Patel has purchased his fifth store - snapping up the site in Hertfordshire from under the nose of Tesco.
The previous owners, also called Kishor ('Ken') and Jaynti ('Jay') Patel, have been trading from Crabtree Stores in Hemel Hempstead for more than 30 years, most recently under the Premier fascia.
Despite interest from the multiples, Jay told C-Store that selling to another independent was very important to them. "This is such a family-orientated store," he said.
"We know most of our customers personally and some had tears in their eyes when we told them we were leaving. After 30 years here it was time to retire, but we know Kishor very well and we know he'll run a very good store."
The new owners take over the 1,600sq ft outlet on February 17 and will convert it to the Nisa Local format soon afterwards. Kishor hopes to retain all of the existing staff and is looking for new people, too, for additional shifts.
He aims to expand the premises to 2,200sq ft eventually and is confident that he can double the turnover by widening the range, particularly in fresh and chilled, and by adopting Nisa's promotional schedule. He also has his eye on further properties in the area.
Kishor told C-Store: "We are delighted that Ken and Jay chose to sell the store to us and we have some really exciting plans for the future.
"We have a good, solid structure in place through IT, financial controls, the supply chain and investing in our people. We're not building up a chain to sell it off - we are here for the long term and are looking to grow."
l Kishor and his 'Retail Smart' car, which has been touring the country as part of his free consultancy service for independent retailers, will be at this year's Convenience Retailing Show, held at Birmingham's NEC on April 6-9. The car will be on the Confectioners Benevolent Fund's stand at the show, and will be auctioned for the fund at the charity's Candy Ball held the following weekend.
The previous owners, also called Kishor ('Ken') and Jaynti ('Jay') Patel, have been trading from Crabtree Stores in Hemel Hempstead for more than 30 years, most recently under the Premier fascia.
Despite interest from the multiples, Jay told C-Store that selling to another independent was very important to them. "This is such a family-orientated store," he said.
"We know most of our customers personally and some had tears in their eyes when we told them we were leaving. After 30 years here it was time to retire, but we know Kishor very well and we know he'll run a very good store."
The new owners take over the 1,600sq ft outlet on February 17 and will convert it to the Nisa Local format soon afterwards. Kishor hopes to retain all of the existing staff and is looking for new people, too, for additional shifts.
He aims to expand the premises to 2,200sq ft eventually and is confident that he can double the turnover by widening the range, particularly in fresh and chilled, and by adopting Nisa's promotional schedule. He also has his eye on further properties in the area.
Kishor told C-Store: "We are delighted that Ken and Jay chose to sell the store to us and we have some really exciting plans for the future.
"We have a good, solid structure in place through IT, financial controls, the supply chain and investing in our people. We're not building up a chain to sell it off - we are here for the long term and are looking to grow."
l Kishor and his 'Retail Smart' car, which has been touring the country as part of his free consultancy service for independent retailers, will be at this year's Convenience Retailing Show, held at Birmingham's NEC on April 6-9. The car will be on the Confectioners Benevolent Fund's stand at the show, and will be auctioned for the fund at the charity's Candy Ball held the following weekend.
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